Blog #13 Hamlet Blog Assignment #1

AHHH my father is so frustrating. Why can’t he and Laertes just stay out of my love life? I know what I’m doing. Just because Laertes thinks “youth to itself rebels, though none else near” (1.3.44), doesn’t mean it’s true. Even though I’m young, I can handle my own love life. I don’t need my brother or my father intervening. It’s my life, and if I want to be with Hamlet, then I’m going to be with Hamlet!

I apologize for the ranting; I should probably explain what happened. So, today when Laertes was leaving, first he lectured me about me about my relationship with Hamlet and then my father FORBID me from being with him. 

My father thought that because Hamlet had “oft of late given private time to [me]” (1.3.91-92) that I didn’t have honor and self-restraint. But that’s not true. Hamlet loves me and I love him. In fact, he makes “many tenders of his affection to me” (1.3.99-100). We are in love. My father needs to stop being so cynical. I know that Hamlet will always be with me and be true to his vows to me.

Even if Laertes and my father have such a poor opinion of Hamlet (Laertes even insinuated that he was scheming to get my “chaste treasure” (1.3.31)), it’s my opinion of Hamlet that matters not theirs. 

Of course, I value the opinion of my brother and father, so I replied politely to each of them, telling Laertes “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep as watchman to my heart” (1.3.45-46) and telling my father “I shall obey” (1.3.136). But at the same time, I value the opinion of Hamlet even more, and he loves me and I love him. And for that reason, I desperately want to continue our relationship.

I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to go against my father and brother, but I really want to keep dating Hamlet. What do you think I should do? Tell me in the comments below!